Distribution

Target Corp. has entered the fast-growing next-day grocery delivery market.    The discounter on Tuesday launched a pilot for Target Restock, a next-day delivery service for household essentials and dry grocery items ordered online, in its hometown market of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The service, available only to Target REDcard holders, comes with a flat fee of $4.99 per box.   

An online thrift store that counts some 20 million users has opened its first-ever physical storefront.    ThredUp has opened an outpost at Tanger Outlets, in San Marcos, Texas. The company plans to add four additional locations by year end. It is targeting traditional malls, outlet centers, and main street shopping districts nationwide.   

German discount grocer is expanding its presence and investment in the U.S. — on two fronts.    On the heels of its first 10 stores opening in the U.S., Lidl is expanding with more locations. On July 13, the company will open two stores in Virginia (in Chesapeake and Culpeper) and two in North Carolina (Havelock and Wake Forest).  

Lowe's Companies has finalized a deal that fits into its goal to better serve its pro customers.   The home improvement retailer has completed its previously announced acquisition of Maintenance Supply Headquarters for $512 million. The Houston, Texas-based company is a distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products serving the multifamily housing industry.  

Drone deliveries by Amazon could one day originate from an unusual-looking starting point.   

As a number of traditional chains across the industry continue to struggle, TJX Cos. is being called one of the country’s fastest growing retailers.   Traditional retailers industry-wide are blaming shifting consumer tastes, digital options and new competitors for not only stealing their wallet share, but for declining foot traffic and related sales. However, this could not be farther from the truth for TJX Cos.  

Fast-growing mattress retailer Casper has closed on a new round of funding — with help from Target Corp.   

Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods Market is sending shock waves through the world of grocery retail. This striking move introduces more disruption into the grocery wars. As the c-suites form their war rooms and build their responses, the industry faces an array of significant challenges.   1. Food retailers must think bigger and faster

The food retail industry has been flush with big mergers lately, but today’s stunner has no precedent.  

In a blockbuster deal, online giant Amazon is acquiring Whole Foods Market in an all cash transaction valued at $13.7 billion, or $42 a share.    John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods, will remain CEO of the grocer after the deal closes. Stores will continue to operate under the Whole Foods banner, and the company's headquarters will remain in Austin, Texas.